tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12395379842336647102012-02-18T06:21:59.770-05:00Adventures of a Monastic Minimalist and Christian Hedonistic Pastor's WifeDana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.comBlogger4691100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-16444876509903261522012-02-17T10:43:00.001-05:002012-02-17T10:43:26.329-05:00

A hedge of heron have congregated the island this early spring Daily, I watch them launch and land from my stationary vantage on this side of the water. On occasion they cross the span to parade upon my sea wall, a stately stalk. For fish, perhaps, or simply to bestow upon us a gift of ungainly dignity. Standing nearly tall as I with wing-span wide as standing, I had not imagined it likely to

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-10631188998693155862012-02-14T08:59:00.001-05:002012-02-14T08:59:31.106-05:00

Today my love and I have been together twenty years.  In case you ever wondered why I love him and think he is the hunkiest man in the world, you should simply watch this: He sings. He plays guitar. And he is an amazing kisser. And that's just the obvious parts.

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-5387158002649892962012-02-13T08:44:00.000-05:002012-02-13T08:44:50.053-05:00

This week we had our first (and probably last) real "cold snap" of winter.  It's been particularly mild this year, with barely even a handful of freezes including the last two nights.  We do live literally in a fish bowl though -a fact for which I give thanks daily because who doesn't need to simply look out over water every day all day long? Walls just impede the view. The last few nights I have

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-50141413207342822702012-02-10T12:46:00.000-05:002012-02-10T12:46:25.951-05:00

1. I have a confession to make. I spent a ridiculous amount of time this morning bird watching. It started out innocently enough: I was eating my breakfast at the table in front of the giant windows. Geese are grazing in the yard (their names are Juan and Rosalita).  Then the great blue heron came and began stalking the fish that hide in the sea wall shadow. The bald eagles made a brief

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-71403734675387192892012-02-10T10:25:00.004-05:002012-02-10T10:27:53.086-05:00

Uncopyrighted photo- not taken by me I would like to write  more poetry But I fear I am neither very talented, nor very sure. I cannot find words stark and beautiful enough to describe the simple splendor of a pale brown  she-cardinal Beak aflame Hunting for berries This low-grey winter morning. Her very unassuming glory Kindles embers of joy.

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-3358678432249205732012-02-08T08:07:00.002-05:002012-02-08T08:13:11.903-05:00

Several weeks ago, while I was in Florida, I read a book that's been messing with my life ever since (actually that has grown into a string of books that are messing with my life...more on that another time.).  I definitely think it's a good thing to have your life picked up, turned over, shaken out, and realigned, but it isn't comfortable, and it can be discouraging at times -- A total aside

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-63863518975979759842012-02-07T08:10:00.000-05:002012-02-07T08:10:26.051-05:00

It's so easy to step away sometimes isn't it? It isn't something you plan or wish for, but sometimes things just drift...right...out of grasp. Once they are out there, further away, you ask yourself, "Do I want to make the effort to have this thing back?" Or maybe you see it, and the thought sparks, but before it even has time to flower into the question, you turn the other way and just let the

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-86160550551985963232012-01-31T17:32:00.001-05:002012-01-31T17:32:27.429-05:00

God gave me a little reminder yesterday.  We've been working together pretty diligently for the last eighteen months on the healthy recovery of My Life's Great Undoing (the '09 version).  At times it's been an extremely painful process --as in being awake while a surgeon cuts out necrotic tissue type painful. It's one thing to have people tell lies about you. It's entirely another to have them

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-33286959091736177452012-01-29T18:41:00.001-05:002012-01-29T18:45:54.519-05:00

I can't hear out of my left ear, today. That has nothing to do with what I am planning to write about in a minute, but since I can't post any stati anywhere and the sensation is positively maddening, and I feel I need some sympathy, that's what you are going to get to open  this post.  Now, we can settle in for the real posting. I've been talking to God quite a bit lately.  I am still praying

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-43531046993612732772012-01-27T10:40:00.001-05:002012-01-27T10:42:26.667-05:00

1. I am finishing up the first week of going dark on the internet (except blogging).  It's been interesting, and busy. I'm not even sure how or why this week seems so frantically, crazily busy, but it does.  Maybe it always feels like this but because I disengage from it regularly online, it wasn't as noticeable.  Whatever the case, there have been moments when I have circled the computer like

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-53185653561116678972012-01-26T18:38:00.001-05:002012-01-26T18:38:58.385-05:00

It's been a stormy January here in Georgia. No snow storms - I've pretty much relinquished any snow hopes I have for this winter - but plenty of thunderstorms, even tornado watches which really aren't the norm for January weather, at all. We have a great vantage point here where we live literally on the point.  The sky can be seen for a full 360*, and most often (though not today) the storms roll

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-66790071530219024972012-01-24T17:58:00.002-05:002012-01-24T17:58:53.097-05:00

Apparently if I am not online regularly, I don't know what to write about. Or perhaps it's that the last, almost seventy-two hours now have been a blur of activity.  One good thing is that at least I don't feel defeated by wasted time at the end of the day. Whatever isn't finished isn't finished because there really wasn't enough time to get it done. I am not beating myself up anymore. I am,

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-6273107943173456532012-01-21T17:18:00.002-05:002012-01-21T17:20:37.825-05:00

Cloud on the water. Photo by Hunky Today I prayed two bold prayers. One I am not ready to reveal yet, but the other is one that has resonated through all my hours all week: show me what keeps me from you, Lord, and help give me strength to remove it. And so He has, because His name is Faithful. And so I sit here with the idol in my lap and pray for courage to write the next the words: An

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-21009761995988226732012-01-20T17:36:00.001-05:002012-01-20T17:36:57.906-05:00

The Rules:  1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. 2. Link back here and invite others to join in. 3. Most important: comment and encourage the person who linked up before you The Place:  The Gypsy Mama My contribution: Vivid  (go) This morning I quoted Dr. Seuss, "Grey day. Everything is grey.  I watch, but nothing moves today." And

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-42273209425662309252012-01-20T09:01:00.001-05:002012-01-20T09:06:12.383-05:00

Parenting Olivia can be a challenge. She is WONDERFUL and on the other side of that wonderful is an equally strong difficult side.  Teaching her to choose the wonderful has been a daily struggle. Lately, Olivia has taken to making hot chocolate every morning for her and her older sister (Oldest sister drinks coffee. Bailey the middler still prefers hot chocolate.) Since Olivia and Bailey can have

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-18975762717597197562012-01-18T21:01:00.001-05:002012-01-18T21:04:27.446-05:00

Most of you know that I spent all of last October thinking about and actively pursuing living simply ( You can read all my entries HERE ) I haven't blogged much about it since, but I thought maybe a little update was in order, especially since I have officially attached the phrase "minimalist" to the ole blog now (look up-not at the ceiling, at the top of this page). *Christmas this year was a

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-1180414911460485072012-01-17T19:08:00.000-05:002012-01-17T19:10:26.444-05:00

I experienced a new and interesting feeling last night.  I have the privilege of  being part of what, I believe, is going to be an absolutely earth shattering Bible study at our home congregation. Because we were out of town last week, the first week of meeting together, and because we had such a larger response than we imagined, it was my first time with the group, and for many of them, their

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-56574290279001573832012-01-16T22:02:00.000-05:002012-01-16T22:02:14.166-05:00

Flaming pink clouds burn Water beneath reflects fire  sunrise inspires twice Doesn't that seem nice and peaceful? I wrote it this morning after reading a little something about haiku being the essence of more with less and after the sky literally lit up like a pink highlighter firework display which really was quite amazing despite my less than flattering descriptive prowess.  It was

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-40273545794953156782012-01-14T17:19:00.001-05:002012-01-14T17:21:02.288-05:00

Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom. James 3:13  I've been putting off addressing this portion of my New Year's Tenets because I honestly, am not entirely sure how to bring it to fruition. I know how to learn things, how to gain knowledge. I know how to research, aggregate and memorize.  But wisdom, well I think we can all agree

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-81983544484023159692012-01-14T09:16:00.000-05:002012-01-14T09:16:15.206-05:00

Yes, this Quick takes is a day late.  But better late than never, eh? 1. In case you missed the announcement, we have been in Florida for the week visiting the Hunky's family. The weather was gorgeous! Seeing family was fun! I have also come to realize that I just don't love the parks.  Now, I enjoyed the rides (and I love the Harry Potter ride) but somehow the total one hour of ride (

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-38010676868481145282012-01-10T19:40:00.001-05:002012-01-10T20:00:00.773-05:00

mustache on a sidewalk Can I be honest? God is messing up my junk lately. No seriously, messing it up. I'm uncomfortable every. where. I. go. Sometimes I am uncomfortable with who I am and how I react. Sometimes I am uncomfortable with the situation. Sometimes, I'm uncomfortable because my precious routine and space have been imposed on (do not think I say that with any level of pride

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-10380535338898946792012-01-08T11:34:00.003-05:002012-01-08T11:34:56.315-05:00

Okay, it's really just good-bye for right now, and a promise that even though we are leaving, there will be some blogging next week. I'll at least hit Monday-Wednesday but after that, I am not making any promises because this is where we will be In case you were wondering, yes these pictures DO make my heart hurt because I swear my children aged 4 years and 6 months since these

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-18666467942808996832012-01-06T19:55:00.002-05:002012-01-06T19:59:36.595-05:00

I made a promise yesterday, when I blogged about floating, that I would talk a bit about my concept of themes for my years. I can't remember what year exactly I started feeling like God was going to teach me, talk to me, help me focus on one particular theme or phrase. I know we were still living in the little house in the hood so it was at least eight years ago. I do know the theme that year

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-52247565974389147682012-01-06T10:40:00.000-05:002012-01-06T10:43:01.773-05:00

1.Happy New Year my Quick Takes peeps! And a happy Epiphany. I feel you should know that as I stand here writing this, my oldest daughter emerged from bed, came in here to give me a hug, towered over me and gloated about it. She is a cruel one, that tall girl. 2. We are pulling out our suitcases and getting ready to head out to the sunshine state on Sunday, immediately after church.  The

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-70005532942369348702012-01-05T19:31:00.001-05:002012-01-05T19:31:23.699-05:00

This week has been an odd one here. We aren't in school. Everyone else has stepped back into regular life with normal routines, and we have not.  There isn't much to do in the way of housework, and it seems silly to start projects when we are leaving for a week in just a few days.  So this week has been an odd one, just floating in the middle of two holidays, and we have floated in it. Usually

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-76776469963384939192012-01-04T20:25:00.001-05:002012-01-04T20:29:08.733-05:00

 I've been taking some time to poke around on other blogs quite a bit lately.  I'm formulating some thoughts about blogging - what I want, why I want it, how to get there.  I've got many many things flipping and swirling in my head for this new year. Rather than becoming overwhelmed and just chucking it all, I am deciding what are small, reasonable steps I can take today that are eventually going

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-76133366286855984382012-01-02T20:30:00.003-05:002012-01-02T20:30:44.299-05:00

 Something happened when I moved to Georgia: I fell in love with the moon. Maybe before we lived here I simply hadn't inhabited a place without ambient light so that I could fully appreciate the moon.  I know that the first full moon or two after we moved, I looked for news articles on the internet to see if the moon was somehow inexplicably brighter than normal. No, apparently she's always been

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-60221335409086197702012-01-01T17:27:00.001-05:002012-01-01T17:29:56.616-05:00

"Try to make one person happy every day and then in ten years you may have made three thousand, six hundred and fifty persons happy, or brightened a small town by your contribution to the fund of general enjoyment"  Sydney Smith One of the principles that I am following this year is that I want to be a kinder person overall.  Last year I spent a great deal of time thinking about complaining, the

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-53372289611448697352011-12-31T17:10:00.000-05:002011-12-31T17:10:11.768-05:00

My 2012 Love List Generally, I get to the end of the year and think to myself, "Oh no! There was so much more I wanted to get done before (insert new year here)"  This year, I think I am the perfect amount of ready for a whole new year and wistfully nostalgic for the one that is passing.   I know many people who have had a very hard year and are more than ready to say good-bye to it. I have

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-12614438187336941502011-12-30T10:26:00.000-05:002011-12-30T10:27:38.659-05:00

We are home from Tennessee.  I am sitting on the sofa looking out at my lake and thinking again that I don't know that I will ever again live in a place as beautiful as this.  I do enjoy going places, visiting, seeing new things and having new experiences, but the fact remains that I am always going to love home the best, that it comes with an incredible view for now is just icing on the

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-58821787340874837322011-12-28T19:37:00.001-05:002011-12-28T19:37:15.260-05:00

I guess I have to stop using Christmas songs as my titles now, huh? I really have enjoyed it, but I promise to wrap it up with this post.  We have celebrated our final bout of Christmas hilarity at my Mom's house. Tomorrow we had back home for a bit of a chill week before we are on the road to Florida.  We won't start school again until after the 15th so I have plenty of time to think and lay a

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-27061455086765242332011-12-26T11:33:00.000-05:002011-12-26T11:33:58.076-05:00

Today Gypsy Momma asked the question: what post do you wish more people had read. My response:  Help Probably one of the more honest pieces I have ever written in regards to being a pastor's wife. With that, we are off to begin our tender Tennessee Christmas. The laptop is going and there may be more blogs.

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-64114779481670296282011-12-25T19:01:00.001-05:002011-12-31T17:13:36.528-05:00

We started celebrating on Monday of this week, and it seems we can't stop. We have laughed and hugged friends, sung, eaten (oh my how we have eaten) made merry, snuggled, kissed, watched Christmas shows, opened gifts, cooked and eaten (I put it twice to accurately represent how much eating there has been), listened to Christmas music, worshipped...in short, we have celebrated. We have celebrated

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-69342447152422848402011-12-22T13:48:00.000-05:002011-12-22T13:48:05.347-05:00

Seventeen years ago today, at 4pm in the afternoon, I married my best friend. Each time I celebrate an important day with him, I try to encapsulate in words how much I love him, how important and inspiring he is to me, how amazing I think he is. I always fall short. I don't know that there are words to convey what it means to have someone be entwined with the fibers of your heart and the

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-43401573536062432812011-12-20T22:06:00.001-05:002011-12-20T22:10:26.143-05:00

I didn't intend for today to be a busy day. I have been letting myself sleep in this week (because I want to be sure and not be tired on Hot Anniversary Date night which is only two days away!)...luxurious.  Seriously why be a haus frau if you can't sleep in some days?  Anyway, I rolled over this morning at the ripe old hour of 7:30, and I thought to myself, "another slow morning" Or, you know,

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-11028708267769008572011-12-19T21:35:00.001-05:002011-12-19T21:37:02.779-05:00

I posted yesterday about closing down for a long winter's nap, and so I have. Today I putzed around and did my hour of housework for the week. I finished Christmas shopping and browsed with my girls for an hour in the library.  Oh and we caught a third mouse (which reminds me, I should check the traps....insert muzak...nope, none tonight). See, this is the kind of excitement I want to have for a

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-15310439954886252042011-12-18T17:19:00.000-05:002011-12-18T17:19:04.420-05:00

Last week was just...crazy.  Schedules were crazy and school was crazy, life crises and love crises, deaths and weddings, parties, activities and drama.  It seemed like the moment I got one thing done, five others popped up.  I raced around like a little whirly-gig putting out fires, swallowing tears and fears and breaking down those old familiar walls. I've practiced a lot of escapism this week

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-63999352735059680632011-12-16T11:17:00.002-05:002011-12-16T11:18:11.362-05:00

1. I didn't really mean to take a week off of blogging.  I sometimes get overwhelmed, overwhelmed with what's going on in my life and around my life that has direct ramifications for me.  There was a time not so long ago that things I wrote and thought out in words were used against my family in a devastating way, and so when life got crazy tough again, I closed it up, not even consciously,

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-91112838021759051192011-12-11T17:48:00.001-05:002011-12-11T18:08:05.213-05:00

This is week in which I was very glad to have a good book to escape into. I even broke my own rule Friday and started book when I hadn't finished the one I was reading. Luckily I devoured that book in one day, went back to the original and finished it today as well. All in all, a good book week. The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery  - DNF- This book took the world record in time

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-65162378887327119102011-12-09T21:16:00.001-05:002011-12-09T21:38:08.275-05:00

 This is my Lindsay. Fourteen years ago this day she changed my life irrevocably forever. When she was born, I proclaimed this as her life verse: We prayed for this child and the Lord has given us what we asked of him.  The verse is from 1 Samuel and it is Hannah's response to God for granting her the gift of a child. In return, she dedicates her son to the Lord, and he becomes a mighty man of

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-61081888366447717122011-12-09T08:25:00.001-05:002011-12-09T09:24:57.213-05:00

1. Today is my beautiful daughter's fourteenth birthday which means two things: first you will want to come back later for a blog I will write about her amazing utter coolness, and second, I will spend parts of today intermittently curled into the fetal position begging God to please stop time from moving forward so doggone fast. How the heck do I have a fourteen year old?  2. My Mom left

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-40309225249211193282011-12-07T21:29:00.001-05:002011-12-07T21:47:13.676-05:00

Currently, we are enjoying a visit from my Mom.  The weather today was horrible so we shopped, ate ice cream (twice!), made pizza and played 340,958,673,409 card games. We remembered that yesterday was my Dad's birthday. We made Greek Pizza. It was amazingly delicious. We had our first experience with phyllo dough.  That stuff is weird. We commented at least forty times each that the

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-18845789418409910912011-12-05T18:52:00.001-05:002011-12-05T19:13:08.908-05:00

I don't think I can blog today. My brain is having trouble forming coherent thought. I think it's because I broke my hiney during weight training (the standing up/ sitting down part of my derriere, not anything more personal--not that that isn't very personal). Don't ask me how not forming a coherent thought and a broken bumper go together. I think it's mostly just the rather gruesome

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-63253697147783015182011-12-04T19:34:00.001-05:002011-12-04T20:07:02.316-05:00

This week was both oddly busy and yet provided quite a bit of time to read, a situation with which I am never sorry. I completed three books (Again, one at a time. I'm really rather liking this method) all of which I found simply fabulous. It is possible I will finish one more this evening, but I am not done with it yet so I won't speak of it here, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-78667840950428445932011-12-03T16:39:00.001-05:002011-12-04T06:00:16.945-05:00

I started doing Saturday reviews in October, and I like them (though right now I am fighting the discipline of sitting here writing a review with mental tooth and nail, all the more reason to get the thing done!), but I became a bit of a slacker in actually putting words on paper and writing them down. I do better with words on paper (or in this case words on computer screen...but you get my

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-1399724846215246522011-12-02T19:58:00.001-05:002011-12-02T20:28:57.031-05:00

Ok. I don't want anyone to freak out or anything, but I am, indeed, blogging a second time today. I ran across this little idea during the 31 Days of Change but wasn't intrigued enough, apparently, to join in. Today, I am intrigued enough to try it. And so I shall. You can read more about the concept and previous entries at Gypsy Momma . Tired Go This evening I am pondering two very

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-86439445716710636382011-12-01T19:05:00.001-05:002011-12-02T06:14:14.671-05:00

Today we are going to the zoo, zoo, zoo! I love the zoo! It makes me reminiscent of our birthday trips to Sea World which we did every year in Florida. Granted, there won't be Shamu, or the Polar  Express, or a live saxophone player, but at Sea World we didn't have Kayla and Lily to enjoy the experience with (and I get to have Windy, which is a never-ending understated surprise snark

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-16373936667539304282011-12-01T15:24:00.001-05:002011-12-01T15:54:42.340-05:00

Beautiful Bailey on Halloween this year I think there are not many people who haven't heard the story of our first born, the child conceived during chemo, the one everyone told us to abort lest I die, she die and the entire world implode upon itself (ok that last may be an exaggeration, but sometimes it did seem the doctor's were that dire), but to me even more amazing and amusing is the story

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-43853302977595223742011-11-30T12:44:00.001-05:002011-11-30T13:31:15.839-05:00

 I think the most interesting response to my recent minimalistic bent, has been that of other bibliophiles to our book purging. I understand that, I do.  Once our last rickety Wal-mart bookcase was down to only half full, I became determined to empty it, to find a home in one of the 2.5 larger, nicer cases we have.  Our books have already been pretty ruthlessly culled, so this time, making space

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-82087722463679930362011-11-29T17:16:00.001-05:002011-11-29T17:50:57.855-05:00

Today is the day we put up the Christmas tree. If you follow me on Google plus you may have seen the conversation where the Hunky said that Sunday was too early to put the tree up, but he did take the time to get the tree down from the attic yesterday.  To be completely fair to the Hunky, last year when I found out that the Chinese restaurant that I identified very strongly with my Dad had

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-72828070159924771392011-11-28T21:23:00.001-05:002011-11-28T21:49:27.512-05:00

My Hunky is blogging. His flying fingers taunt me whilst I sit here and rack my brain, because sometimes, my brain gets clogged and the pipes that flow from my rapidly firing neurons to my set and ready fingers is very...very...very...s...l....o.....w.  The problem is that I have too many unfinished thoughts, too many things waiting in "it's a good idea, but not quite refined for enough for

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-10836783070072026162011-11-27T18:27:00.001-05:002011-11-27T21:13:59.802-05:00

When I posted my 7 Quick Picks on Friday,  (yesterday I was bizarrely under the weather and spent the day in bed) one of the things I mentioned was my new book page. When I wrote and published the new book page, one of the  things I promised on it was to be better about reading and reviewing the books I read. I'm really not a professional book reviewer, and I don't aspire to be one, but I

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-19388849562204883552011-11-25T09:07:00.001-05:002011-11-25T10:31:36.448-05:00

1. I don't know about you, but we had a deliciously, fabulously, simple, quiet, delightful Thanksgiving. It's just been us five here for the past two days. We've watched movies, played speed, read books, fed the lake fish, and I have cooked a shameful amount of food. We will spend most of the next three days eating that shameful amount of food, and I may have to increase my running quite a

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-32940877499503792072011-11-22T19:26:00.001-05:002011-11-22T19:40:31.577-05:00

I'm very thankful for so many things this year that I couldn't even begin to wrote a comprehensive list. We are living proof that God is  the  Redeemer. He makes beauty for ashes over and over and over again. If I ever forget that I need only walk to the nearest window and look out.  At least once everyday I give myself a mental pinch and remind myself  "This is my life...not a dream vacation."

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-19336720043717842012011-11-21T19:28:00.001-05:002011-11-21T20:05:05.102-05:00

My daughter made fun of me today. I think she thinks I am turning into a stalker. I admit I was creeping down the sea wall with my binoculars in hand, but ya'll ..YA'LL this is what was in my lake today: I did not take this picture It is entirely possible that I am turning into James Audubon, but lately I spend at least thirty minutes a day staring out the window with binoculars or camera in

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-35148817299890417972011-11-20T17:47:00.001-05:002011-11-20T18:24:27.903-05:00

My blog isn't going to have any photos today, because I am not on my computer. I am not on my computer because it had to go on vacation to my personal computer guru's house ( AKA the fabulous husband of the equally fabulous Windy ) because today it decided to just not. turn. on. Oh the irony. It is also supposed to be a day that I did not get online at all, and Monday is as well. I never could

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-59269102572944521292011-11-19T18:46:00.001-05:002011-11-19T19:25:35.750-05:00

I'm putting myself on a time limit writing this blog for two reasons: first, I have been known to stand around and dither about a blog for a very long period of time without ever actually typing anything and second because if I don't give myself a time limit I will stand here dithering about only to walk away in a bit never having said anything at all. Why? Because some moods are like

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-65573037108884033362011-11-18T08:08:00.001-05:002011-11-18T09:18:44.104-05:00

1. There's been a lot of life lived in this house this week. I feel like I've done, and gone, and planned, and talked and stayed up to late and run and thought non-stop! I lost some sleep because of it, and lately losing any sleep means the next day is a struggle, so I'm revamping my mornings. Apparently 100 days of running means your body is going to call in all the sleep debt you have

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-2637764609653782212011-11-15T20:59:00.001-05:002011-11-15T21:04:19.395-05:00

I do so many things wrong in this life. Ghosts are chasing me today. Taunting me with wrongs things, wrong words...ghosts make me afraid of my words. Truth and Beauty Thanks be to the One who speaks truth and beauty, and points me to the things of substance and light.  Who knows why He chose me for it, but thanks be to Him for any grace He has given me in bringing up these crazy beautiful

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-68368620494407154832011-11-14T16:14:00.001-05:002011-11-14T16:53:59.655-05:00

 I've been thinking a lot about singing lately. I believe I was about seven when I walked into my first voice lesson, and despite a few bouts of stage fright, it's been true love ever since. I simply love singing. I've sung a million places for a million reasons: death, marriage, shows, recitals, dinners, alone and in ensemble, churches, parks, halls, the car and the shower.  There are many

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-74682693572440629732011-11-12T17:17:00.001-05:002011-11-12T18:08:20.698-05:00

Last December from the back Deck Last December at the water We had our first freeze last night. It's officially my third winter in nineteen years, so I'm still all about the newness and freshness of it. I had occasion to be out in the very wee hours and diamonds of frost greeted me on my windshield. Breath-puffed, lungs burned, and I assumed the standard winter posture: shoulders hunched

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-38804572055204931002011-11-11T08:21:00.001-05:002011-11-11T09:35:31.095-05:00

1.  This week has been an odd one. I've felt off-kilter, rushed and irritable.  None of these things are like me, and I haven't always enjoyed my own company this week.  I also gave up reading for just over 3 days ( you can see the reason why here ).  Yesterday I decided that was not a plan that was going to work for me.  This weekend I plan to re-read The Happiness Project  in preparation for

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-10538252577322599482011-11-10T16:29:00.001-05:002011-11-10T16:56:55.118-05:00

Ok so it's not really frightful but it is fractious.  All day long sunny! dreary! windy! rainy! No, not rainy! SUNNY! oops hazy...cloudy! Sunny! Crisp! Warm! no Cool!  And with it my mood goes from energetic to sleepy to chilly to lazy to...well you get the picture. My brain has bounced maniacally while I forced my body into monk-like slowness and focus (because rushed and scattered has been my

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-48866183950365035832011-11-09T16:36:00.001-05:002011-11-09T20:08:33.087-05:00

I took this picture when we were walking around downtown last weekend. It completely cracks me up for a lot of reasons, not the least of which was that I had  to stand on a busy street corner and squat in a less than flattering manner to get the right angle to shoot something no one else could really see and which I am sure left them wondering "Why is that crazy woman squatting and taking

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-54691336214084201182011-11-08T19:34:00.003-05:002011-11-08T19:37:38.312-05:00

 I took myself on an artist date today. That's one of the things you do when you are working through The Artist's Way, you  take yourself out for solitary chunks of time and do...well, you do whatever really strikes your fancy.  Errands aren't allowed. Cell phones aren't allowed. Inspiration, fun and whimsy are very allowed. The girls had science class today so after dropping them off, I went and

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-42110858489776659162011-11-07T19:45:00.001-05:002011-11-08T07:25:32.371-05:00

Just a bench in the sun It's entirely possible that I have completely lost my mind. Here's how it all started: almost a month ago now (can you believe that, Sayruh girl??) my friend and I decided to work through The Artist's Way together. It's a sort of self examination, creativity releasing twelve week study. Yes, parts of it are as new-agey as they sound, but over all the benefits for me

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-85145441123776197582011-11-05T19:29:00.001-04:002011-11-05T19:29:33.129-04:00

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-62470930617530479212011-11-04T21:42:00.001-04:002011-11-04T21:47:56.439-04:00

1. I almost didn't blog today.  My in-laws are in town. We had early Thanksgiving with them. I spent a good deal of the day puttering in the kitchen and cooking some of my favorite things. I'll turn around and do it again in a few weeks and enjoy it just as much. I did make what is hands down the best cranberry dish I have ever made: Spicy Cranberry Chutney.  I said earlier that it was like

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-87039045663417391652011-11-03T19:10:00.001-04:002011-11-03T19:13:29.631-04:00

Many eons ago, before my husband was in ministry, he was the head athletic trainer at a large local high school. This meant that, without fail, there was always a football game the Friday after Thanksgiving. We didn't travel. For the first few years, we went to his Mom's house for the holiday but a few years later they moved to Miami, and Thanksgiving was a day that I was left to my own cooking

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-26169967372540674702011-11-02T16:48:00.000-04:002011-11-02T16:48:16.983-04:00

Sunrise on my dock I'm a big believer in rest....for everyone but myself. I can push harder, go farther, stay up later and get more done than most people. Until, I can't. Life's been pretty crazy around these parts for the past few months and rest, real rest, has been hard to come by. I have to confess that even our Sabbaths have been sporadic and half-hearted. It shouldn't come as a

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-4901959291528185772011-11-01T16:58:00.001-04:002011-11-01T16:58:20.725-04:00

Nothing says cool like a beach umbrella in your fishing boat I took this picture in the early fall this year because I thought it was one of the funnier things I had ever seen in my lifetime. I really thought a long time about what I wanted to blog about in these days leading up to Thanksgiving and (finally!!) to Christmas.  The last month was a great deal of growth and thought and change.

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-74879894385954786082011-10-31T10:30:00.002-04:002011-10-31T10:30:44.668-04:00

I was thinking the other day of the last night I spent in my home in Florida. I'd really managed to hold it together and be excited about moving, changing and fresh starts right up until that point. But that night all the anger, all the hurt, all the injustice, all the uncertainty boiled to the surface and I was a slamming, raging, weeping mess. My Hunky met me in the kitchen (where I was

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-22764516036077090782011-10-30T18:06:00.002-04:002011-10-30T18:09:48.239-04:00

While we are on the subject of flaws, let's talk about one more. I have not always been a person who believed in community. In fact, I would say that while I was living in Florida, truly being in, or even wanting to be in community was something I sorely lacked. I'm a fiercely independent introvert. Let's not even get into my thoughts about "group projects" when I was in school. The idea of

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-12333529745671792022011-10-29T11:38:00.001-04:002011-10-29T11:42:20.583-04:00

I missed my simply living post yesterday. I thought about it, but I didn't do it. I thought about back posting for it this morning but then I had to drive out to our old house and try to retrieve the birthday presents I bought for my daughter that I accidentally had shipped out there. They weren't on the porch, which meant we had to get in touch with our old landlord (who lives right next door

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-53046565740018300272011-10-28T09:45:00.000-04:002011-10-28T09:45:25.402-04:00

I debated whether or not to do a quick takes post today, but it is Friday and since I have been posting on a particular subject ( Simply Living for 31 Days of Change ) I don't always share what's going around this crazy place so I thought I would go ahead and do one. If you read it all is up to you.  *grins*  Incidentally, I am planning to create another theme for November through

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-91530641532797876092011-10-27T23:18:00.000-04:002011-10-28T07:22:25.528-04:00

**true confession I started this yesterday, the 27th, but didn't post it until today, the 28th** I received a wonderful gift today (actually I received innumerable wonderful gifts, but this is the one that brought all the others into focus.) The gift is a thermal coffee cup, meant for travel and such, and on the outside is a little collage pattern that says "Pastor's wife." It's cute and sweet

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-85633763320286560842011-10-26T20:32:00.001-04:002011-10-27T06:08:20.566-04:00

In case you were wondering, I like to know what's next.  I am slowly learning to let go of my need to plan, control, list and expect, but it isn't always easy and it isn't always fun. Believe it or not, we are just under a week from the end of 31 days of change and I am already planning what I want to do with the next 31 days, because having the plan makes it easier to come back every day and

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-28886328748350945062011-10-25T21:05:00.000-04:002011-10-26T07:19:10.166-04:00

I was going to post today about hard work.  I read this fabulous quote and it spurred a whole line of thoughts about how very hard I have worked this month in conjunction with writing these posts, and how worth it already is to have put in this effort, because the fruit is apparent. This is a lifestyle change that is going to stick, and I am excited about it. However, instead today I took

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-34378994104303714772011-10-24T20:46:00.002-04:002011-10-24T20:50:59.946-04:00

The last two days have been strangely off kilter.  Circumstances, emotions, events all of them seem to have joined together into a little conspiracy designed to throw me off my game plan and into a complete tailspin. I've been frustrated more than once, shocked, saddened and even flipped off.  Today I am pretty sure every portion of our school plans and curriculum and even technology plotted

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-11894159295481172712011-10-23T21:52:00.001-04:002011-10-23T21:54:32.593-04:00

I almost didn't go this route with my writing today because it seems as though this is the post that should come at the end. At the same time, it kind of intrigues me to write it now with just barely over a week to go, because I can't wait to see what else gets revealed in the last days of this adventure. To begin with, I have circled around this concept of less for some years without ever

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-52804959112205352132011-10-22T08:09:00.001-04:002011-10-22T22:11:00.912-04:00

Today is the day! It's time for Dewey's Read-a-thon!!! Basically for me this means that today I will read, and blog, and read some more, and blog, and change locations and read and blog, and go for a short walk and read and blog, and read and read and blog and blog, and read, and blog and read...oh and blog. I won't be going the full twenty four hours because I have responsibilities that

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-48877876611910964002011-10-21T16:33:00.000-04:002011-10-21T20:02:13.904-04:00

Yesterday I blogged about the problem of the internet being a distraction.  I even went so far as to confess that it is absolutely the number one time waster I employ (I am well aware that there are as many ways to waste time as there are people who waste it). Before I sat down to write this I thought for a long while about what I was going to say, and I suddenly found my mental blogging

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-79099188741319027592011-10-21T08:19:00.001-04:002011-10-21T08:21:47.636-04:00

1. The last seven days have been super crazy in many wonderful ways, crazy busy, crazy no-regular-schedule because of wonderful house guests, crazy weather, crazy arrival of the new worship leader so now my Hunky can slowly go back to doing just his job instead of two people's jobs. Crazy, crazy, Crazy. So I declared today and tomorrow my days off...no school, no cleaning, no anything I

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-29217857603411247602011-10-20T19:50:00.001-04:002011-10-20T19:56:46.595-04:00

It is a bit of a conundrum to make a post about the distractions of the internet when writing and publishing something on the internet, but recently it's really come to the forefront of my mind how much time I am not using effectively.  Before I say anything else, let me make very clear, I do not think the internet is evil. In fact, I think the internet serves its purpose of sharing and

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-55543480154177164902011-10-19T22:38:00.000-04:002011-10-19T22:39:37.737-04:00

 Can I be honest for a moment? This week, I've been winging it. I started out the month strong and with a plan. The first two weeks flew by easy peasy! Then we had a surprise visit from my Mom (no this is not me complaining, at all. It is me acknowledging a sudden gear shift), and this week I never managed to formulate the rest of the plan and most nights I sit here and write the first thing

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-13984177627088853662011-10-18T22:06:00.000-04:002011-10-18T22:08:19.973-04:00

Life has been more than busy since last Saturday. Even though some busy is the most wonderful, laughter filled, productive, enjoyable kind of busy eventually, it catches up with you. That time is now for me. We have had days of friends and laughter and family and fun things and long walks and dogs, and sweet brown eyed boys and lunch with new friends and boat rides. Everyday I climb in bed, way

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-81783813683198341512011-10-17T22:17:00.003-04:002011-10-17T22:19:58.292-04:00

There was a time, a few years ago, when silence was forced upon me. I've never been one to walk away quietly (shocker, I know), but sometimes God will close your mouth for you if you don't close it yourself.  Even after that there were a few times that I again spoke without thinking, without concern, with only my self and my needs in mind.  Fortunately we were at a place in life then that we

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-9911342939537646792011-10-16T22:51:00.000-04:002011-10-16T22:51:55.045-04:00

It's been a long Sunday and tonight I find myself at somewhat of a loss.  Seventeen hours, two services, one book group meeting and five kids under five for three hours and  the arrival of your Mom for a few days stay will fill your day rather completely, and leave you with few inspirations to work with on the blog. I know many people call Sunday a day of rest but for us, it isn't, and it won't

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-67922140265642415792011-10-15T17:53:00.000-04:002011-10-15T18:00:45.864-04:00

Intermission: 1. A interval between the acts of a play or parts of a public performance that allows the actors and audience to rest 2. A period during which action temporarily ceases We are halfway through 31 Days of Simply Living. Time for Intermission, because that is what simply living is about.

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-77589040587817255742011-10-15T09:48:00.000-04:002011-10-15T09:48:36.235-04:00

Several weeks ago I implemented a Saturday review here on my blog. (You can read all of them here, as you see there are only four so far). Last week I made it part of the 31 days, but this week I will be making my 31 day entry separately. It will, of course, have the lovely button you are accustomed to seeing. I've also decided to add a highlights section for the week. Just because that appeals

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-67812877535429036082011-10-14T20:19:00.000-04:002011-10-14T20:19:14.892-04:00

I have many thoughts today. Some may be expounded upon more later (we do have 17 more days of exploring this way of life) but I all bears at least touching on today. I didn't do much out of Unclutter your Life in One Week today.  It covered mental topics more than physical decluttering -- scheduling, routines, calendars, productivity.  While I am not great about calendars and scheduling, when

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-35730168427913393992011-10-14T09:16:00.000-04:002011-10-14T09:16:25.218-04:00

1. I missed writing a quick takes last week because we drove a couple hours over to Newnan to allow the geeks to recharge in each others' company and because I desperately needed Cheri therapy. I have many amazing, wonderful, incredible, beautiful friends, but last week I need a friend whose face I could look into while I spoke, and who wasn't in any way, shape or form related to my church

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-3664371490739954742011-10-13T21:58:00.000-04:002011-10-13T22:04:43.289-04:00

I don't have words for today. I'm a wordsmith who loves to find the perfect word to capture the beautiful moments, and today, I cannot find the words.  I don't know how to say that every moment was completely, brilliantly perfect and complete as we passed through it. I don't know how to convey the magical experience of being part of what makes a small child's perfect day perfect. I don't know

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-78306572324362570082011-10-12T22:02:00.001-04:002011-10-12T22:09:51.786-04:00

You know how you clean and organize and clean and organize and purge and organize and purge and clean and then one amazing day it feels like everything has settled and  there is room to breath? Today was that magical day for me. I'm still following Unclutter Your Life in One Week and very much enjoying it. I have concluded that the "one week" time frame is pretty much only if you are willing to

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-47910680294337421212011-10-11T20:57:00.001-04:002011-10-11T20:57:52.442-04:00

Today was the day in Unclutter Your Life in One Week that I was scheduled to clean the bathrooms....clean, reorganize, finally decorate the parental bath that we were just happy to have working when we moved in. I did these things. There will be pictures. I am actually starting to like my bathroom now when before it was too blah. Bathrooms are funny places. They are the spaces where we are

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-91434538818165523092011-10-10T19:48:00.000-04:002011-10-10T19:54:03.942-04:00

Today we got down to the nitty gritty: a second purge wave, this one post-move. We've actually done a decent job since we moved disposing of things that we found we don't need, but some things found a home before we really had a chance to determine if we wanted to keep them or not.  I am using the book Unclutter Your life in One Week to work through the process.  I do not want to take away from

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-73226038129906487862011-10-09T08:05:00.001-04:002011-10-09T16:48:40.025-04:00

It feels like I have used a lot of words over the past week talking about simplicity. I will use a lot more as I journey deeper into the dusty corners of  life this week to come. As I was reading through the 31 Challenges  I'm following, I read Melissa's list of autumn goodness. I realized that in this season of focus, I lose my purpose if I don't take time to enjoy the season, my

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-74643772761195523022011-10-08T21:06:00.004-04:002011-10-08T21:07:23.290-04:00

It's the end of week one of the 31 Days of Change. I debated whether or not to make my weekly review post part of the 31 days of Simply Living but the fact is that having time to do what you love requires some work to make that time and space available.  Now that we have covered a great deal of the why of choosing to live simply, I think this next week will be a focus on some serious

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-5190096529972772652011-10-07T23:40:00.000-04:002011-10-08T07:41:25.744-04:00

Way back on Day 1 of this 31 day writing adventure ( I say that only partially tongue in cheek) I made this comment: Getting rid of stuff, physical, emotional and spiritual is not just about the purge, it's about the filling up as well. I'm so glad I did because today, well today was all about the filling up.  One of the most rewarding things about freeing myself from physical clutter and

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1239537984233664710.post-3859376896234959602011-10-06T06:38:00.000-04:002011-10-07T06:39:18.091-04:00

* I set this to post automatically yesterday since it was our Sabbath, but I didn't do it very well, apparently. So today will be a 2 for 1. * Because today is the Hunky's day off, and because I definitely need some brain clearing time, I won't be around the computer so much. Today I am going to send you to some other places that have helped me learn about minimalism. Most of them are free,

Dana Portwoodhttps://profiles.google.com/117811948765769924310noreply@blogger.com0